The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recorded no fewer than 127 deaths from Lassa fever this year alone.
This is according to the 14th epidemiological week, Lassa fever situation report released by the agency on Tuesday .
The report showed a high burden of the disease in Ondo as the state contributed 30%, while Bauchi and Edo states recorded 25% and 16% of confirmed cases respectively.
“In week 14, the number of new confirmed cases increased from 14 in epi week 13, of 2025 to 15. These were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and Gombe States.
“Cumulatively in week 14, 2025, 127 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.8% which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (18.5%).
“In total for 2025, 18 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 93 Local Government Areas. Seventy-one (71%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from these three states (Ondo, Bauchi and Edo) while 28% were reported from 15 states with confirmed Lassa fever
cases. Of the 71% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 30%, Bauchi 25%, and Edo 16%”, the report said.
It further disclosed that the predominant age group affected was 21-30 years, the male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases was 1:0.8. The number of suspected cases decreased compared to that reported for the same period
in 2024.
Fortunately, no new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 14.
The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that late presentation of cases and poor sanitary conditions were driving the fatality rate higher.
“Despite ongoing efforts, we’re still seeing avoidable deaths. The case fatality rate stands at 18.8% this year—slightly higher than the 18.5% recorded during the same period in 2024″, he said.
The latest situation report also showed that a total of 674 cases had been confirmed from 4,025 suspected cases across 18 states and 93 Local Government Areas.
To tackle the spread, the NCDC has activated a multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) at the national level, deployed rapid response teams to high-burden areas, and intensified community engagement.
The DG called on Nigerians to take preventive measures seriously: “Avoid contact with rodents, maintain clean environments, and report to a health facility promptly if you have symptoms like fever, headache, or unexplained bleeding.”
The public is encouraged to stay informed via the official NCDC website or call the toll-free line 6232.
